Bruno Giacosa AA Falletto Barbaresco Rabaja 2017 Magnum

"This is a very sexy, soft Barbaresco with chocolate, earth and pure fruit, from strawberries to cherries. Medium -o full-bodied with elegant tannins that give form to this wine. It's fine and lovely in the mouth. Exciting. A fine, granular-textured red. (Tasted 8/2020) 97 points, James Suckling

Country: Italy
Producer: Bruno Giacosa
Region: Piedmont
Sub Region: Barolo

Cavallotto Barolo Riserva Bricco Boschis Vigna San Giuseppe 2016 Magnum

The fruit for this flagship Riserva derives from the small sub-terroir of the Bricco Boschis known as Vigna San Giuseppe. A steep slope that sits behind the cantina, this 2.38-hectare parcel has long been considered the sweet spot for this vineyard, consistently delivering one of the greatest Barolos of the region.

Here you get the best of everything: altitude (but not too much); excellent drainage (but enough water retention thanks to the limestone and clay, ensuring the vines don't stress … more

Country: Italy
Producer: Cavallotto
Region: Piedmont
Sub Region: Barolo

Giacomo Conterno Barolo 'Vigna Ceretta' 2019

Country: Italy
Producer: Giacoma Conterno
Region: Piedmont
Sub Region: Barolo

Massolino Barolo Vigna Rionda Riserva Etichetta Nera 2016

Vigna Rionda is historically the most revered vineyard of Serralunga, the source of some of the greatest, most structured, robust and long-lived Barolo. The name derives from the word rotonda (round) used to describe the amphitheatre shape of this south-facing vineyard. The Massolino family are the largest holder with 2.3 hectares (today Angelo Gaja has a fair chunk as well). The soil here is similar to the Parafada vineyard (limey/chalky marls) yet there is more chalk and also a higher … more

Country: Italy
Producer: Massolino
Region: Piedmont
Sub Region: Barolo

Giuseppe Quintarelli Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2017

The 2017 Amarone is simply stunning with a very complex nose of dark red flowers, soft ripe cherries and spice notes . But its the freshness and precision which sets this apart from other wines, which makes this so complete, elegant and powerful.

Country: Italy
Producer: Giuseppe Quintarelli
Region: Veneto
Sub Region: Valpolicella

Giuseppe Cortese Barbaresco Rabaja Riserva 2016 Magnum

One of Barbaresco's very best vineyards. If you could only have one this would be on the short list. Any drinker in the know will easily put the Rabajà vineyard in their top 3 vineyards of Barbaresco if not right at the very top! … more

Country: Italy
Producer: Giuseppe Cortese
Region: Piedmont
Sub Region: Barbaresco

Giacomo Conterno Barolo 'Vigna Arione' 2018

Country: Italy
Producer: Giacoma Conterno
Region: Piedmont
Sub Region: Barolo

Il Marroneto Brunello di Montalcino 'Madonna delle Grazie' 2017

Sitting at the highest part of the estate at around 450m, this single site has the oldest vines on the property and takes its name from the little church just above the vineyard. This Brunello 'Grand Cru' as Alessandro refers to it, takes a different path than his other 2 wines. Once picking is complete, all the fruit is placed into large wooden fermentation vats that see no agitation or stirring before fermentation - the fruit is simply left to … more

Country: Italy
Producer: Il Marroneto
Region: Tuscany
Sub Region: Montalcino>Brunello

Chiara Boschis E. Pira Barolo Cannubi 2017 Magnum

'The Barolo Cannubi is absolutely gorgeous in 2017. Hot and brutally dry conditions notwithstanding, the Cannubi is creamy and sensual in the glass, with impeccable balance, soft, racy edges and tons of allure. It is easily one of the most sensual, compelling Barolos of the year. Ripe dark red/purplish fruit, spice, mint and cedar meld into the beautifully textured, resonant finish. I am so impressed with the wine's freshness. Perhaps the anti-hail netting helped keep some shade on the fruit. … more

Country: Italy
Producer: Chiara Boschis
Region: Piedmont
Sub Region: Barolo

Conti Costanti Brunello di Montalcino 2019 Magnum

"The 2019 Brunello from Costanti is breathtakingly gorgeous. Combining the intensity of the vintage and the hallmark finesse that defines the wines of this historic estate, this is a wine Brunello lovers will want in their cellars. It opens with heady aromas of fragrant blue flower, woodland berry, forest floor and new leather that on the palate segue into juicy Marasca cherry, wild raspberry, blood orange, menthol and baking spice. Firm, ultra-refined tannins offer support while bright acidity keeps it … more

Country: Italy
Producer: Conti Costanti
Region: Tuscany
Sub Region: Montalcino>Brunello

Vietti Barolo Ravera Novello 2019

"The 2019 Barolo Ravera is the most intensely mineral and saline of the Barolos. Crushed rocks, white pepper, flowers, orange zest, red berry fruit and bright acids all run through this finely sculpted, chiseled Barolo. Readers who enjoy Barolos of energy and tension will adore the Ravera. I have always had a soft spot for this Barolo. The 2019 is another magnificent dimension of Vietti's dark horse, a wine that over the last 10-12 years has routinely challenged for the … more

Country: Italy
Producer: Vietti
Region: Piedmont
Sub Region: Barolo

Massolino Barolo Vigna Rionda Riserva 2017

Vigna Rionda is historically the most revered vineyard of Serralunga and the source of some of the greatest, finest and most long-lived Barolo. The Massolino family are the largest holders in this Cru with 3.5 hectares of Vigna Rionda vines, aged between 40 and 50 years old. On some of the oldest soils of Barolo, there is very little topsoil here, with a high concentration of limestone, oxidised iron and other mineral elements. The altitude is also 300 metres above … more

Country: Italy
Producer: Massolino
Region: Piedmont
Sub Region: Barolo

Massolino Barolo Margheria 2019 Magnum

The Margheria vineyard is one of Serralunga's most important and illustrious sites. The Massolino family bought their first parcel here in 1964, and the remainder came online during the '70s. The current holding is 1.5 hectares. Sitting at 280 metres above sea level, Margheria is a very chalky vineyard with a good percentage of sand (which brings elegance), while the high calcium carbonate content brings vibrant, mineral energy to the natural depth of Serralunga.

As with all three 2019 Crus, … more

Country: Italy
Producer: Massolino
Region: Piedmont
Sub Region: Barolo

Vietti Barolo Lazzarito Serralunga d'Alba 2016

"The 2016 Barolo Lazzarito is another stunning wine in this range. The 2016 is the first vintage of the Lazzarito I can remember tasting in which intensely mineral notes accompany the more savory, earthy notes that are so typical of this site. Graphite, sage, dried flowers, crushed rocks, menthol, dried rose petal, mint, licorice and blood orange race out of the glass in a breathtaking, towering Barolo that hits all the right notes from the start to its chiseled, strikingly … more

Country: Italy
Producer: Vietti
Region: Piedmont
Sub Region: Barolo

Cavallotto Barolo Bricco Boschis 2018 Magnum

The Bricco Boschis Cru is a truly profound vineyard; an amphitheatre-shaped site that produces this estate's most emblematic Barolo. This comes from vines with an average age of 50 years, mostly situated in two parcels within this single vineyard. The first is the Punta Marcello, which lies at the top of the slope next to the cantina. This cool terroir is known for its fragrant, pale juice and long, angular tannins. Then, there is the Vigna Colle Sudovest parcel, lying … more

Country: Italy
Producer: Cavallotto
Region: Piedmont
Sub Region: Barolo